Spring seat and equalizer lifting means



Feb. 28, 1950 M. P. BLOMBERG SPRING SEAT AND EQUALIZER LIFTING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 20, 1946 Feb. 28, 1950 M. P. BLQMBERG SPRING SEAT AND EQUALIZER LIFTING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 20, 1946 Patented Feb. 28, 1950 SPRING SEAT AND E MEAN Martin P. Bicmlierg, Hinsdale Ill-i, ass'ignortm General Motors? florporatinm.v Detroit; Mibhz, ac corporationiof Delaware I I ApplicationApriP20, 194's; ShriallNOzfiGtWlS invention generally" relates to railway vehicle trucks and more particularly to improvements in parts thereof whereby the parts may be safely and quickly assembled.

In the assembly and disassembly of trucks of this type the component parts are assembled by a crane and slings attached to the heavier and longer parts. The slings are attached and held in place by two men during lifting by the crane of the longer parts, particularly the equalizer assembly, in order to reduce the natural tendency for the slings to slip and cause injury to the men and damage to the equipment.

The object of the present invention is to provide sling attaching means on the equalizer spring seats whereby one man can attach the sling, step out of the way and direct movement of the equalizer assembly into place in a safe manner and with minimum delay.

The means by which this object is accomplished will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawing illustrating one form of the invention.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a side elevation of a truck equalizer assembly with parts broken away to show details of the invention to better advantage.

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view taken on line 2--'2 of Figure 1 with parts broken away.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2 with parts broken away.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4 -4 of Figure 3.

Figures 5, 6, '7 and 8 are views similar to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 showing a modification of the invention.

As best il ustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings the equalizer assembly includes two identical spring seats I shown positioned adjacent the ends of the central depressed portion of two equalizer bars 3 in symmetrical relation for helical truck springs. Each spring seat I, as best illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, is provided with integral upper side supporting projections 5 resting on the upper edges of the bars 3, a lifting hook portion lextending longitudinally inwardly from the end of the bars and a central pocket portion 9 for insertion of the lower end of a helical truck spring, not shown. The pocket 9 is provided with side openings l I and also with a drain hole l3 extending downwardly and outwardly from the pocket along the outer leg of a bifurcated body portion l5. The inner leg of this bifurcated portion has side portions I1, shown extending downwardly along each equalizer bar 3 and below 41 Claims. (CI; 12.0 5-1-1941);-

Each spring seat I is clamped in position between the bars 3 by means of a nut I9 on a clamping bolt 2| extending through transversely aligned openings in the equalizer bars 3 and between the outer and inner I a transverse slot in the lower surface inter- 1' spring seats secured at longitudinally spaced "fil ach of said seats having a spring mediate the sides which is shown resting on a spring hanger pin 29 which extends through a transverse opening in the projecting lower end of the spring hanger 23. The semi-elliptic spring 25 is accordingly hung at its ends by means of thehangers 23 adjacent the ends from and between the equalizer bars 3. To retain the spring 25 in this position in case of breakage of the ends or breakage of the spring hangers 23, or the spring hanger pins 29, a safety pin 3| is keyed in transversely aligned openings in the lower ends of the side portions IT on the inner leg of each bi furcated portion of the spring seats I at a level below the ends of the spring to catch the spring adjacent the ends upon the occurrence of breakage of the above mentioned parts.

With the spring seats clamped in position to equalize-the load applied thereto the integral hooks I on the seats I provide safe and convenient means whereby one man may readily attach a crane sling so that the above described equalizer assembly may be safely and quickly lifted. moved and lowered by a crane in a horizontal position for assembly between adjacent axle boxes of a railway truck.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figures 5, 6, '7 and 8 spring seats 5| of slightly different form are used. Each of the spring seats 5| differ only from those previously described by providing a side opening 53 in the central springpocket opening 55 in place of the hook portion 1 whereby lifting hooks may likewise be con 5 veniently attached for safe handling of' the equalized assembly by a crane.

I claim:

1. An equalizer bar assembly for a railway truck comprisingzan equalizer bar and a pair of forming means for the attachment of lifting slings.

2. A spring seat for a railway truck having equalizer bars, said spring seat including side projections adapted to rest on said equalizer bars. a sprin socket portion having an opening therein for the attachment of lifting means and a body portion adapted to be clamped between said equalizer bars.

3. A spring seat for a railway truck having equalizer bars, said spring seat including side projections adapted to rest on said equalizer bars, a body portion adapted tobe clamped between said bars and integral hook portions'to facilitate the attachment of slings for lifting.

, 4. A spring seat for a railway truck having. laterally spaced equalizer .bars, said seat having 'a body portion adapted to be clamped between the equalizer bars, said body portion having a. ispring pocket in the iupper end provided with 20 2,376,735

I Number REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 558,399 Linstrom Apr. 14, 1896 1,091,107 Adams Mar. 24, 1914 1,640,626 Svensson Aug. 30, 1927 1,701,271 Mussey Feb. 5, 1929 2,137,074 Blomberg Nov. 15, 1938 2,317,169 Bartell Apr. 20, 1943 2,365,692 Frede eta1. Dec. 26, 1944 Travilla et a1. May 22, 1945 

